The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1932. AN UNUSUAL POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1932. AN UNUSUAL POSITION.

I_. . ( | JIT is .at least satisfactory to have J proof that justice in New Zealand is ; not blind. This conclusion is reached by the process of the law in relaition to recent happening on the Westland Hospital Bomd. Two of The ablest members of the Board, Messrs Davidson and Jeffries, both of whom have done yoeman service in the public interests on tile Board and in other public walks, unwittingly became involved under a section of the Act through exceeding a few shillings the limit for for the purchase of goods from the firms represented by the gentlemen, in any one year, This act was a eoi.travention of the law, and the AuditDepartment pointed out the disqualification involved. Both members resigned, and when the matter was referred to the WestlanJ County Council, tiie contributory body represented bv the two gentlemen, that body promptly re-appointed Messrs Davidson and Jeffries being well aware of the valuable services to the Hospital Board and the community at large. But Justice was still wide awake, and the Audit Department after consulting the Crown Law Officers pointed out that a section of the Act required that when a member was disqualified of his seat, the contributory body should forthwith appoint isome qualified person in the place of the disqualified member. It was held that the wording of the section precluded the re-appointment of a member in his own place, and that shows' the alertness of the law. It is well to lie aware of this fact and to realise that Justice does not slumber nor sleep, but in this particular instance a grievous injury is done to a public body and its working. Mr Jeffries happens to be a leading spirit on the financial side of the Board’s work, and Mr Davidson has outstanding service in the internal management of the Institution. While Mr Jeffries has kept a close watch on the finance, and has been instrumental in introducing economies of moment to the ratepayers, Mr Davidson has been tho guiding spirit in effecting remarkable improvements; not to say transformations in and about the institution. The work he has done and the results now nee ruing must he worth hundreds of pounds to the institution, and incidentally to the Government and tho contributing ratepayers. Mr Davidson lias sacrificed a great deal an the public interests, serving early and late, and giving the institution the benefit of a tradesman’s services free of charge. We know of no other instance where so much valuable, voluntary work has been done, and done so cheerfully, ft seems to us it would be a calamity to lose Mr Davidson’s honorary services, and it is to be hoped a way will be found to return the two gentlemen referred to to their useful .sphere of influence on the Board in question. In these times of financial difficulties local bodies require to bo administered with the utmost care, and the Board can .ill-afford to lose such valuable services. Probably a way out will be found, and we hope the two gemtlement will allow themselves to be renominated at the first opportunity within the law. It seems to us, this should not be ft remote period either, and in the interests of the Government and the ratepayers, the sooner it is brought to pass the better. We shall be very pleased to hear of developments to that end.